Phaius australis (Lesser Swamp Orchid)
|
Phaius australis flowers, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Photograph by Poyt448 Peter Woodard. License: Public Domain. (view image details)
|
Phaius australis at Coffs Harbour
Photograph by Poyt448 Peter Woodard. License: Public Domain. (view image details)
|
|
|
LESSER SWAMP ORCHID FACTS |
Map is from The Atlas of Living Australia web site, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License
Common Name
Lesser Swamp Orchid
Other Names
Lesser Swamp-orchid, Common Swamp Orchid, Southern Swamp Orchid, Swamp Lily
Description
The Lesser Swamp Orchid is a large terrestrial orchid growing to 2 m in height. The star shaped flowers are brownish or reddish brown with white underside, and sometimes have yellow veins.. The lip or labellum is pink on the inside. The lateral sepals are larger than the petals and lance shaped. Flowering is in spring from September to November. Leaves are dark green and narrow, lance shaped, and grow to about 125 cm long and 10 cm wide. The leaves have a ribbed or corrugated look and resemble Cocos palm seedlings. This species is listed as endangered in Queensland and New South Wales. This orchid grows in colonies in suitable habitat.
Habitat
grows in paperbark swamps and damp areas in forest, woodland
Distribution
Phaius australis is found in eastern Queensland and north eastern New South Wales. It is also found in Indonesia, New Caledonia, Fiji and other islands in the region.
Growth Characteristics
Height: 50cm - 200cm
Classification
| Class: | Liliopsida | | Order: | Asparagales | | Family: | Orchidaceae | | Genus: | Phaius | | Species: | australis | | Common Name: | Lesser Swamp Orchid |
Relatives in same Genus
Phaius tancarvilleae
|
|
